Nighttime visual hallucinations

Hi Doc,
Maybe you can give me a clue as to why I'm having these. Last night I opened my eyes at 4 am and saw something similar to a Jackson Pollack's painting. Little squiggles and lines, all moving and changing shape. When I closed my eyes I still saw these but in shades of gray! They lasted for several minutes and dissappeared. I've had night time hallucinations for over 10 years now, sometimes I see complex patterns, like mosaics or tiles changing colors or shapes. A few times I saw hazy snow like a bad tv reception.   Are these migraine auras or what? I am a 53 yo female, on meds for hypertension and diabetes. Hx of migraine. Any ideas appreciated.

[Forum-OD-MP]

could be migraine aura, could be pressure phosphenes, could be blod pressure related...  dont know.

[sally456]

hi heart 2 heart its sally456.  I have also had these nightime hallucinations.  Usually when i wake up from being in a deep sleep, my vision is distorted.  ALso, my eyes get read alot when Im tired, and other times, like they are bloodshot or i have pink eye.  i also have one pupil larger than the other.  Im not sure which eye has the problem, though.  I went to opthamologist, who found nothing wrong...maybe i should go to another one.

[heart2heart]

Sally, maybe we can figure out what these relate to. Are we on perhaps similar medications?  I take Avandia, Atenolol, Lexapro and Ultracet. I also have allergies and dry eyes.

[Lisha325]

Hi, I have similiar visual disturbances.  I am only 21 but I have had them for a long time.  I also have trails.  where if something moves I can see a trail behind it.  Do any of you know about that?  Thanks so much.  Also, I am on Zoloft.  Have you heard of that causing uneven pupil dialation or these disturbances?  Thanks for any help.

[sally456]

lisha-
i have the exact same problem with my eyes..i call it 'streaky" when things leave a trail....like when i wave my hands in front of my face its streaky....and it is more noticable when my eyes are tired. they ar also red when i wake up in the morning and one pupil is larger than the other. I have alot of floaters and even have tons of real tiny ones that look like sperm or tadpoles swimming if you look very closely at them.
My vision problems started when i work up in the middle of night from a deep sleep and my vision was distored. it lasted a very short time but it has happened other times since..if i waske up from a deep sleep.  Also, i cant see well in the dark..it takes a while for my eyes to adjust.
Have you ever found out what is causing your vision problems?

[eyegal]

I also experienced the night time hallucinations at times
and found out that it is related to the Corgard medication
that I've taken for a long time for heart palpitations.  Some
of the meds for heart and high blood pressure have this side
effect so check with your doctor or check the internet for
information on the side effects of the meds you take.
Hope this provides some answers for you.

[heart2heart]

Thats interesting Eyegirl.  I take beta blockers (atenolol) for palpitations. Maybe that is having this effect? Is Corgard a beta blocker?

[siren8383]

A related discussion, Nighttime hallucinations was started.